Contracts put RTÉ in bind over 2 Johnnies
CONTRACTUAL issues and star power could scupper any attempt by RTÉ to permanently axe controversial duo The 2 Johnnies, industry sources said last night.
Comedy pals Johnny B and Johnny Smacks came under fire this week after they were accused of airing ‘sexist and insulting comments’ in their podcast and clips used to promote their new 2fm drivetime show. The duo had only started their radio stint on Monday.
Following a public furore, the pair were taken off the air, with RTÉ saying they are ‘reviewing the matter’. Montrose bosses are now understood to be weighing up whether to stand by their newest stars. However, sources warned that contractual obligations could undermine any attempt to ditch the podcast stars, who were understood to have been offered between €100,000 and €120,000 each to present the 2fm show.
An industry source told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘RTÉ themselves are exposed.
There was little or no formal training and no review of content despite the video linked to publicity around the boys unveiling as new hosts. Then there are also contractual obligations to be honoured. If they do decide that the easy option is to simply bow to pressure and dump the lads, can they rely on any clause in their contracts to justify turfing them out?’
The MoS unerstands that no one at RTÉ reviewed the controversial podcast despite being linked to a social media post about the segment ahead of its public airing.
Another source pointed out that, in spite of the controversy, station chiefs feel the new show will be a big success. They told the MoS: ‘They tracked really, really well on [2fm presenter] Jennifer Zamparelli. RTÉ went looking for them. It just depends on whether they can weather this storm.’
After the initial furore over their segment about crude and sexist car stickers, the comedy pair apologised. But Johnny B admitted to Joe Duffy’s Liveline show on Friday: ‘We were not clear enough in our condemnation. We didn’t edit the video ourselves, it was one of our team which makes it our responsibility and we have to stand over it.’
In a brief statement, 2fm said: ‘The 2 Johnnies will remain off air while we review the matter.’